Racial Epithets in Court

I am saddened by the charges of racial prejudice made against Calabro. I am angered by the apparent opportunism that is the genesis of this crisis--a crisis that traces its origin to the taking of some of Calabro’s words out of context. My experiences in Calabro’s courtroom have left me with the clear conclusion that the commissioner runs his courtroom in a fair, even-handed way; that he has an exemplary judicial demeanor, and that he shows due respect and courtesy to all of the parties who appear before him.

I have represented many defendants in Calabro’s courtroom, a good number of them members of various minority groups, and indeed several persons from foreign countries, people who spoke little English with great difficulty. I have never once observed Calabro to be anything but a gentleman in his approach to all parties.

I find these grandstanding charges of racial bigotry to be shocking. They are an unjustified attack on a hard-working, courteous bench officer.

TED E. THOMPSON

Los Angeles